Teen backed Barlow as part of choir

Merryn Phillips, 15, of Hilperton, was part of a backing choir for Gary Barlow’s recent concert in Cardiff

Teenager Merryn Phillips has been inspired to aim high, after singing live with superstar Gary Barlow.

Merryn, 15, performed with a 20-strong choir after the singer/ songwriter decided to include his Royal Diamond Jubilee anthem Sing in his current UK tour.

“It was the most amazing experience,” said soprano Merryn, of Marsh Road, Hilperton.

She is a music scholar at the Royal High School, Bath, whose director of music Mark Bradbury was asked to put the choir together for the show at Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff.

She said: “Gary Barlow was so kind although we didn’t really get to meet him, just see him during the performance itself.

“I was so nervous I kept having to remind myself to breathe, but as the song went on I think we got better and better, though it was hard to hear yourself because of the crowd’s cheering.

“In the last chorus, which is supposed to be the most emotional one, you could hear how happy we were all feeling.

“Mr Bradbury kept telling us beforehand to remember to smile on stage, well I don’t think any of us could do anything else.

“Apparently Gary told the audience after we had gone off we were fantastic. I thought it was good singing with my rock band at Gig Night at school, now I definitely want to do more and sing with a band.”

Sing was written by Gary Barlow for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012, and performed for the Queen as part of the jubilee evening concert in front of Buckingham Palace.

Royal High’s director of music Mark Bradbury said: “The girls did so well it was hard to believe that they weren’t professional musicians."

See the Royal High School choir Sing with Gary Barlow at http://youtu.be/k6h6MkRLnLw